Letters: Fletcher editorial, response

In response to “The question for Nathan Fletcher: What does ‘move to the middle’ mean?”: I am surprised and disappointed that the editorial staff of the U-T San Diego would suggest that Nathan Fletcher’s move to independent status has in some way harmed Republicans running for office. The loyalty to country of the Marines I know is absolute. Should any one of them choose to leave the Republican Party and become an independent, that decision will in no way alter or invalidate his loyalty to country. I hope the U-T will apologize to Nathan Fletcher for making this invalid comparison. – Lois Thompson, Bay Park

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I was disturbed to see the response by Fletcher supporters in the [online] comments section of the U-T editorial about Fletcher’s campaign maneuvers.

The U-T did not attack Fletcher for his military service, nor did it question his claims about his combat experience. In fact, just one week ago, the same paper ran a glowing profile of Fletcher’s military service.

As a veteran I want to know my mayor can lead and has the courage to make the hard decisions required to manage the city of San Diego. If Nathan Fletcher wants to use his service to describe who he is as a person and the principles that guide him, then he should be willing to accept civil criticisms and questions, such as those raised by the U-T. It is interesting to note the flag officers who endorsed him for the state Assembly have endorsed Carl DeMaio for mayor. – Dennis M. Kenneally, Del Cerro

In my opinion, Fletcher has two liabilities: his military experience and his political stint at the state level.

I just don’t see how his, or anyone’s, military experience is even a desired prerequisite for the position of mayor in a major city like San Diego. Municipal politics is not based upon a rigid hierarchy and system of command. Fletcher can talk all he wants about leading by example and by living the culture he intends to set at City Hall, but if those around him don’t buy into it it’s a waste of time.

This is politics and sorry, Mr. Fletcher, but you will be the enemy of anyone wanting the (pension) status quo to remain. This enemy is time-tested, highly savvy, backed by a lot of money and very powerful. Our city needs a very savvy and shrewd politician with knowledge of laws, economics, the environment and governmental affairs and has to possess the kind of political will that our city needs today to get the major problems solved during the next term, not four terms from how. Our next mayor needs to have solid and sound political experience, the kind you get working in a functional and healthy political system, not the kind you get in a system like we have at the state level in California. – Paul Jester, San Diego

“The question for Nathan Fletcher: What does ‘move to the middle’ mean?” egregiously abuses the military service of Nathan Fletcher. A hallmark of military leadership is the ability to do the right thing for the right reason, and the integrity to discern what the right thing is.

In situations where the lives of others depend on your ability to lead, there is no time for bickering. Experience in making life-or-death decisions while serving in the Marine Corps has given Fletcher exactly the kind of leadership experience necessary to make difficult decisions like those that San Diego faces. The difference between leaving a political party and leaving an injured or dead fellow patriot on the battlefield are in no way the same, and to draw such a parallel is utterly disgraceful.

I say shame on the U-T editorial staff and anyone who has misused Nathan Fletcher’s honorable military service as a reference point for questioning his loyalty and his motives to do the right thing for San Diego. – Tess Banko, Spring Valley

A lawmaker has to stand for something. Nathan Fletcher seems to think that he can win votes by never taking a position on any issue. He says he is “in the middle”, but does not actually say anything. Winston Churchill once said “So you have enemies? Good, that means you’ve stood up for something in your life.” Fletcher talks about compromise, but before you compromise you have to have a starting position. What is his?

Nathan Fletcher doesn’t seem to have any ideas of his own. Maybe he’s just waiting for the union leaders to tell him what to think. That might be a little harsh, but how would we know? He wont’t say. – Ben Byrom, La Mesa

In it’s editorial of Sunday, April, 29 (“The question for Nathan Fletcher: ...”), the U-T asks Fletcher to “make a promise that he will not take funds, either directly or indirectly from organized labor.” That sounds like tea party lingo. Is the U-T willing to ask Carl DeMaio or Bonnie Dumanis to “make a promise not to take funds, either directly or indirectly from business interests?”

I think the U-T has clearly shown its bias. I predict its recommendations for elected positions and ballot propositions will follow Republican mantra. This is a tea party newspaper! – Samuel M. Ciccati, La Mesa

First in a series responding to your mayoral candidates series (Opinion, April 29):

Nathan Fletcher: Typical mealy-mouthed politician – “Trust me, I’m a good leader, and I can get it done,” – running a weak campaign. Cynical comment referencing “Wisconsin of the West,” which actually would be a good thing for San Diego.

Bonnie Dumanis: A prosecutor trying to be a politician. Slow out of the gate, slow learning politics and a weak campaign. She should stay in law enforcement.

Carl DeMaio: Strong, forceful, and has shown some actual leadership in getting Prop. B on the ballot. Forthright and specific; you know where he stands.

Bob “No Pension Plan” Filner: Full-blooded, cynical, mush-mouthed politician. Like Fletcher, “Trust me, I’m a leader and compromiser, and I can get something done.” But not enough; he wants to satisfy everybody and he’s clearly in bed with the unions. He’s also a liar – Prop. B does not “impose a zero-pay increase on city employees.” Prop. B freezes pension calculations at current levels for five years. Employees can get all the raises they can bargain for; they just won’t add to their pension calculations for five years. – Ralph Nebiker, San Diego

If this isn’t a perfect example of why the U-T is bleeding readership, I don’t know what is. Apparently the Republican Party in San Diego (who also is bleeding voter identification) and their endorsed mayoral candidate now have the U-T doing its bidding. It’s clear the local Republican Party has an inability to clearly articulate ideas that draw people to its mission.

How many members of the editorial board served their country, put their life on the line defending their country and were decorated in battle for their heroics? To say Fletcher is leaving comrades behind on the political battlefield is deplorable. To question his principles and honor is embarrassing.

If the U-T’s objective is the election Republican candidates to San Diego offices, be honest and say that. However, it appears the entire state Republican apparatus is threatened by independent thinking. I could only imagine what the late Herb Klein would say to such shoddy journalism coming from the editorial board.

In an age of “mistakes were made” and “I can’t say with certitude,” Nathan is a reminder of a time when accountability was an essential virtue of leadership. – Wallace Berlin, San Diego

U-T Opinion got it wrong. Fletcher’s move to the middle was an act of loyalty to all San Diegans and a testament to his unwavering sense of purpose to do the right thing.

As someone who has made life-and-death decisions, at times under direct enemy fire, I can attest to the character of a Marine.

Military service, especially combat service, teaches you a lot: about leadership, about teamwork, about sacrifice. Lessons you can’t learn anywhere else. It deepens core values for your family, faith, and country.

Mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher entered politics with the same expectations that we both had when we enlisted in the Marine Corps – that serving our country is the most honorable life an American can lead. He will serve our city honorably, just as he did his country.

San Diegans have a choice in this election, more of the same from the right and left, or an independent, battle-tested voice in Nathan Fletcher. Nathan Fletcher is a loyal fighter who is more than ready to take on City Hall and move San Diego forward.

Semper fidelis. – Jack Harkins, Chairman, United Veterans Council Of San Diego County

Sunday’s U-T editorial questioned the meaning of Nathan Fletcher’s move to become an “independent” and leave the Republican Party to move to the “middle,” a valid question indeed. The real truth is that Nathan Fletcher would still be a Republican if the local Republican Party had given him their endorsement instead of Carl DeMaio.

I think Fletcher actually became an “opportunist.” Had he truly been sincere, he wouldn’t have sought the Republican Party endorsement in the first place. – John Savory, Rancho Bernardo

What does the Republican Party endorsement mean?

Most people don’t know that in 2008 to receive the endorsement of the San Diego Republican Party they had to answer a questionnaire that contained the following questions:

Have you endorsed Non-R’s in the past 4 years? If the answer is, “Yes,” attach explanation. If Yes: Did you endorse a non-R over an R? If Yes, attach explanation.

Do you pledge not to endorse non-Republicans? If “No,” attach explanation.

I am a lifelong Republican. In my hometown the weekly newspaper was the Republican Express. Still, in my eight years serving on the Coronado City Council, I worked with many Democrats who were terrific representatives for their cities. I believe that our city and county elections should be nonpartisan and over the years have endorsed Democrats whom I considered superior to their rivals. Mayor Mary Sessom of Lemon Grove, Scott Peters for San Diego City Council, and Mary Salas for Chula Vista City Council were terrific to work with to move our region forward. Currently I’ve joined Supervisor Pam Slater-Price (R) with my endorsement of Dave Roberts (D) to succeed her on the county board.

Although I personally support Bonnie Dumanis in the San Diego mayor’s race, I applaud Nathan Fletcher’s move out of the Republican Party. I applaud the business leaders who have taken a similar position. For me, the San Diego Republican Party has marginalized themselves to the far right, in a position that is not helpful to our communities. They punish leaders who strive to work together.

I want folks to know that the Republican endorsement means, “Toe the mark. Don’t work with others.” In the long run I think it is destructive. – Phil Monroe, Coronado

I especially liked both the editorial on Nathan Fletcher and also Nathan Fletcher’s response (“Fletcher explains his views, actions,” Opinion, April 29). The U-T has a publisher’s responsibility to ask questions. I believe these questions were concisely asked. Fletcher’s response was as heard in mayoral debates. He has not wavered from his philosophy. A good no-nonsense man. – Lauretta Johnson, San Diego

Your editorial shows progress (Nathan started an important community conversation by going independent), but still struggles to break free of the old political paradigm – every race must be about Democrats fighting Republicans.

Voters are far ahead of you. If you look at recent mayoral races, none of the Democratic-endorsed candidates have won, and Jerry Sanders was only the Republican favorite after party-endorsed Steve Francis lost.

Your closing argument comparing party politics with the actions of battlefield soldiers is remarkably inappropriate. Nathan has actually been decorated for his actions on the battlefield. I trust you will share the names of any of your editorial writers that have accomplished the same? – Andrew Poat, Hillcrest

Nathan Fletcher’s rebuttal to your insightful editorial, “The question for Nathan Fletcher: What does ‘move to the middle’ mean?,” is risible. Fletcher is an ambitious pol. He started his political career working for a crooked hack, Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham. He ran for the Assembly as a Republican and continued down the partisan trail as a candidate for mayor, until he unexpectedly failed to win the endorsement of the county GOP. Only then did Fletcher have his nonpartisan epiphany. What a farce! He is a transparently sore loser who will say any thing to get elected.

In his response, Fletcher claims that “I will not be beholden to any group,” but his legislative machinations in support of redevelopment boondoggles for downtown real estate interests (SB 863) show that he is just another pawn of the power brokers. Want to break the special interest gridlock at City Hall? Vote for Carl DeMaio for mayor. – Mark Pulliam, San Diego

It is absolutely astounding that you propose that Nathan Fletcher move to the middle by refusing to accept contributions from unions while failing to mention the need to turn down contributions from businesses and special-interest PACs.

How does Fletcher represent the middle by being an advocate for increased impact in local politics by corporate interests while you implore him to ignore the concerns of unions and working people in San Diego? I hope you are not arguing that business interests represent the middle and somehow encompass the concerns of all of us.

Please, give us all a fair shot at having a voice. – Richard Lawrence, San Diego